Celeste Walker, a graduate of West Potomac High School, has been selected by the Society of Chemical Industry, America Section, as an SCI Scholar for 2012. In addition to a $1,000 prize, scholars are awarded prestigious 10-week summer internships at major U.S. chemical companies. Celeste currently attends University of Virginia and will complete an internship at Ashland Chemical Company.

Mt. Vernon High School has received a $2,000 mini-grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to support a local chapter of Y Street, VFHY’s national award-winning youth volunteer advocacy group. The grant will aid in promoting a healthy lifestyle to youth by training teen volunteers who promote a healthy lifestyle.

Elizabeth Romano of Alexandria, who is studying at Widener University in Chester, Pa., was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2012 semester at Widener.

Adam Godfrey of Alexandria graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and French from Merrimack College on May 20.

Peter Routh of Alexandria, graduated from Bowdoin College, majoring in Government and Legal Studies on May 26.

Bucknell University has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2011-12 academic year. Several residents from Alexandria has been recognized, including:

John C. Luce Jr., son of John and Margaret Luce and a 2008 graduate of St. Stephens & St. Agnes School.

Jason D. Neithamer, son of Calvin and Susan Neithamer and a 2008 graduate of St. Stephens & St. Agnes School.

Simeon B. Smith-Wimbush, son of Iris Wimbush, Chau K. Tieu, daughter of Binh Tieu and Phuong Trinh, and a 2011 graduate of Mount Vernon High School.

Local residents graduated from Clemson University at three Commencement ceremonies May 11: Brian Edward Beaty of Alexandria, who graduated with a bachelor of science in political science (International Politics); Kathryn Kelly Finnigan of Alexandria, who graduated with a master of science in historic preservation and Brittany Lee Ryan of Alexandria, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science

Mount Vernon resident Elizabeth Barrett of George Washington University has been selected for the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program to study Chinese in China during the summer of 2012.

Katie Rippy, social studies teacher at Mount Vernon High School, has been named the 2012 Virginia History Day Senior Division Teacher of the Year. Rippy was selected for this award for her creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. As a state award winner for Virginia, Rippy will receive a cash award of $500. In addition to receiving the Virginia History Day Senior Division Teacher of the Year Award, Rippy will be nominated by the Virginia State Coordinator for the National History Day Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award for Virginia that recognizes outstanding National History Day teachers.

David McDonald and Carmen Mendoza of West Potomac High School have been selected to attend the Virginia American Legion Junior Law Program at the Virginia State Police training academy in Richmond, scheduled for July 22-27.

The following students attending Hampden-Sydney College were named to the Dean's List for the Spring semester of the 2011-2012 academic year:

Nicholas Lawrence Leggieri is a graduate of West Potomac High School and is the son of Carl & Charlene Leggieri of Alexandria.

Kevin Komson Sidney is a graduate of West Potomac High School and is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Louis E. Sidney of Alexandria.

The following students from Alexandria graduated on May 13 at Hampden-Sydney College.

Dereck Onofre Parada graduated with a B.A. in foreign affairs. A graduate of West Potomac High School, he is the son of Thea Nelson and Ramon Parada, both of Alexandria.

Kevin Komson Sidney graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in mathematical economics. A graduate of West Potomac High School, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Sidney of Alexandria.

Alexander Slippen of Alexandria made the dean's list at Muhlenberg College for the fall 2011 semester. He is a member of the class of 2012 and is a Media & Communication major and Political Science minor. He is the child of Mr. Richard I. Slippen and a graduate of West Potomac High School.

Nine FCPS teachers are participating in the Sally Ride Science Academy this summer, sponsored by Exxon Mobil. The academy is designed to help teachers raise students’ interest in science. Attending from FCPS are Stacy Vickers of Cherry Run Elementary, Lori Huberman-Hayes of Daniels Run Elementary, Holly Eelman and Kristen Scudder of Navy Elementary, William Buchholz of Carson Middle, Patricia Waters of Key Middle, Elizabeth Hayward of Liberty Middle and Cheryl Flughum and Mohammad Zishhan of Sandburg Middle. The academy uses a train-the-trainer model that pepares participants to train other teachers in their district. Participating teachers will receive sets of the Sally Ride Science Cool Career book series that introduce students to a variety of careers in science for use in their classrooms. The 260 educators selected for the program were picked based on their qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age, and commitment to enhancing the teaching profession. Programs are held in San Diego and New York City.

The Following Alexandria residents were among 1086 students from Ithaca College who received degrees during the college’s commencement ceremony held in May 2012.

Marjorie Glassco received a degree from Ithaca College’s School of Humanities and Sciences with a major in Drama.

Benjamin Malakoff received a degree from Ithaca College’s school of Communications with a major in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Samuel McCann received a degree from Ithaca College School of Communications with a major in Journalism.

Boston University awarded academic degrees to 6,098 students in May 2012. Receiving degrees were Lindsay S. Adler, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Thomas J. Platt, Master of Science in Business Continuity and Emergency Management; Zachary H. Warder, Bachelor of Science in Communication.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Educated Eats Scholarship Awards. The following individuals have shown considerable interest in and commitment to the restaurant industry, and will pursue their culinary trades at a host of well-respected institutions: